Moon grateful for Pope Francis support. Abp. Gallagher in Korea: hope and trust for the future

The Holy See representative is visiting for six days. Prayer and the determination of Korean people will bring "many good things" despite difficulties. To the North Koreans, Msgr. Gallagher says, "Let's move on". The contacts between the two Koreas are multiplied.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Gratitude and respect for the pontiff, who with his support and his prayer helped the two Koreas move closer together: This is how South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed Holy See "Foreign Minister" Msgr. Paul Gallagher, who is visiting Seoul for six days.

The Archbishop arrived yesterday, at the invitation of the South Korean government. His stay includes dialogues with the president, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and 45 Catholic MPs. Yesterday, the Holy See representative presented the Pope's personal greetings to Moon and the South Korean people, along with an invitation to go to the Vatican in October.

Today, Msgr. Gallagher went to the Joint Security Area (JSA), near the inter-Korean militarized border, bringing with him a message of hope: the determination of the Korean people to "decide their own future", with the support of the prayer of Christians and "other men and women of good will" will succeed in overcoming difficulties and obtaining "many good things".

Responding to a request to address a message to the North Koreans, the Vatican diplomat said: " "Humanity has always got to move forward. We move forward, facing our challenges. Whatever side of the border we may be on, whatever situation we find ourselves in, we have to try and work for advancing the development of society".

Meanwhile, exchanges between the two Koreas are intensifying. Yesterday, officials from both countries agreed in a joint declaration to work together to protect the forests of the peninsula from damage caused by harmful insects. On the same day, sport was once again a means of rapprochement: the two Koreas' basketball players competed for a friendly match in Pyongyang, playing in mixed teams called "Team Peace" and "Team Prosperity".

• korea
• vatican
• south korea
• north korea
• intercorean dialogue
• pope francesco
• moon jae-in
• christians
• korea